Fla. abuse survivor seeks to change federal laws

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Sexual abuse survivor Lauren Book is seeking to do in Washington what she's done successfully in Florida: change laws so children are better protected.

Book provided written testimony Tuesday to a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions subcommittee recommending a law that would require universities to report sex abuse on children or lose federal funding. She also wants the federal government to promote abuse prevention education.

Book has helped pass at least a dozen laws in Florida to help victims, prevent abuse and punish abusers. She's wanted to do the same at the federal level and saw the opportunity after recent news about sexual abuse cases at Penn State, Syracuse University and The Citadel.

Sens. Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Bill Nelson, a Democrat, joined her in support.